It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here!
The UEFA 2020 European Championship begins TODAY with four matches being hosted at Hampden, two of them involving Scotland.
And, ScotRail is playing its part as Scotland’s 12th man by providing free train travel to fans with a valid match ticket between Glasgow Central station and Mount Florida, which is just a short five-minute walk from the action.
Under COVID-19 rules, Hampden’s capacity has been cut by 75 percent so 12,000 supporters will be watching each of the games on Monday, 14 June (Scotland vs Czech Republic), Friday, 18 June (Croatia vs Czech Republic), Tuesday, 22 June (Scotland vs Croatia) and Tuesday, 29 June (Round of 16).
ScotRail is running 21 shuttle services over a three-hour period before the matches, between Glasgow Central and Mount Florida. This means almost 4,000 fans will be able to travel for free by showing their match ticket, thanks to a partnership between the train operator, Glasgow City Council, and UEFA.
The train operator is running services for three hours following the matches which have earlier kick-offs on 14 and 18 June. Scotland’s final game in the group, on 22 June, has an 8pm kick-off, so trains will be running until midnight.
And, in the Round of 16 matches on 29 June which also has an 8pm kick-off, ScotRail is assuming there could be extra time and penalties, so trains will be scheduled until 1am.
However, supporters are being urged to make sure they have planned their onward journey home from Glasgow Central following the games with late kick-offs, and not to expect trains to take them back to Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth or the like.
Physical distancing rules will still in be in place at railway stations and on-board trains throughout the tournament in line with Covid-19 guidelines.
So, ScotRail is urging supporters to make sure there is limited capacity on train services to and from the match. leave plenty of time to travel as there is limited capacity on train services to and from the match.
Volunteers will be on hand to provide details of alternative walking routes to the games in the event that train capacity is reached.
Fans are also being reminded that ScotRail’s alcohol ban will still be in place during the tournament and British Transport Police will have a strong presence at Glasgow Central and Mount Florida to enforce the policy as well as making sure people in train queues are being patient and following physical distancing rules.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Head of Customer Operations, said:
“The whole country is looking forward to Scotland’s first involvement in a festival of football for 23 years.
“ScotRail is delighted and proud to be playing its part in making sure fans can get to Hampden for free just by presenting their match ticket on the day.
“However, supporters must remember that because of COVID-19 rules on physical distancing, there will be queues for trains running between Glasgow Central and Mount Florida before and after the matches.
“We are urging them to get there early so they can give themselves every chance of getting on one of our services.
“Let’s do all we can to get behind Steve Clarke and the boys and cheer them on to the next stage of a major tournament for the first time ever.”